(a) Personal Appearance. Any individual acting without an attorney must
appear personally and may not delegate that duty to any other person who is not a
member of the bar of this court. A self-represented person is bound by the federal
rules and all applicable local rules. Sanctions, including but not limited to entry of
default judgment or dismissal with prejudice, may be imposed for failure to comply
with local rules.
(b) Entities. Any entity other than an individual, including but not limited
to a corporation, an unincorporated association, a partnership, or a union, may
appear only by an attorney.
(c) Self-Represented Litigants. Self-represented litigants may request to
file electronically in civil cases through PACER by submitting a pro se e-filing
registration form to the clerk of court’s office. The clerk reserves the right to deny
requests to file electronically. Once registered in PACER, the self-represented
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D.Mont L.R. 83.8 Self-Represented Litigants
litigant waives their ability to file documents in paper form over the counter or
through the mail. All filings by self-represented litigants must be done through
PACER, by mail, or by in person delivery to the clerk’s office.
(d) Consent to Electronic Service Only. Except in attorney discipline and
social security matters, a self-represented litigant may consent to have all future
documents filed in their case sent to them via e-mail. The agreement must be in
writing and signed by the litigant. The clerk may add terms and conditions other
than those in this rule and make revoke the agreement at any time.
(e) Agreement with Parties. Instead of or in addition to an agreement
under subsection (d), a self-represented litigant and one or more other parties may
agree to receive and/or effect service by means other than CM/ECF, pursuant to
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5(b)(2)(E) or (F). Any such agreement must be in
writing, signed by each party to it, and filed in the record of the case.
